Wasserman Schultz urges more civility after Giffords shooting

January 9, 2011|By Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel

FORT LAUDERDALE — Escorted by four Broward Sheriff's Office deputies, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz solemnly called for more civility in political debate Sunday, a day after a gunman shot and critically injured her close friend Gabrielle Giffords in Arizona.

Wasserman Schultz, D- Weston, said both Republicans and Democrats have been guilty of heated rhetoric, which she said may have contributed to a shooting rampage at a "Congress on your corner" event outside a Tucson supermarket that killed six and injured Giffords and 12 others.

The South Florida congresswoman spoke at a media conference at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, shortly after arriving from Washington, D.C., for a ceremonial swearing-in Monday at the federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale.

"It's our responsibility, whether we're Democrats or Republicans, whether we agree or disagree, to remember we're Americans first, and that words have an impact," she said. "We don't know when the words we've chosen will send someone whose psyche is frayed to begin with, over the edge."

Police believe the gunman is Jared Loughner, 22, who has a history of erratic behavior and has posted anti-government remarks on the Internet.

"Maybe we can all come together and push the shock jocks and the media, who pride themselves in whipping people into a frenzy on both sides, not to do that anymore," she said.

It's important for members of Congress to take security seriously, but also to remain accessible to constituents, Wasserman Schultz said.

Wasserman Schultz said that she always has law enforcement with her at public events and that there will be an "appropriate amount" of security at Monday's ceremony. Also participating are fellow Democrats Frederica Wilson, of Miami, and Ted Deutch, of Boca Raton.

Deutch echoed Wasserman Schultz's sentiments Sunday, telling WPLG-Ch. 10 that the violence was a "wake-up call" to tone down the rhetoric.

Members of Congress do not receive U.S. Secret Service protection in their home districts. Wasserman Schultz would not discuss what specific security enhancements might be needed.

"We have to strike a careful balance between overdoing it and not being cavalier about it," she said. "We have to make sure that the public knows they can be safe at public events with members of Congress."

Wasserman Schultz, 44, said she and Giffords, 40, have been close friends for several years. They have spent a lot of time socializing in Washington, D.C., in their off hours, and their families have vacationed together.

Giffords' husband, Mark Kelly, is an astronaut, and Wasserman Schultz's family joined Giffords' family at the Kennedy Space Center in 2008, when Kelly was commander of the Space Shuttle Discovery.

"There are only a handful of young women in the House of Representatives, so we naturally gravitated toward each other," Wasserman Schultz said.

She said she's always been impressed with Giffords' ability to maintain a sunny disposition, even when dealing with critics.

"She seems to find the good in individuals, even when maybe they don't deserve it," Wasserman Schultz said.